Terms of Service

Last Updated: February 10, 2026

GLOBAL RATING AUTHORITY

GRA Submission Services Terms and Conditions

Global Rating Authority
Last Updated: February 10, 2026

These GRA Submission Services Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”) govern the submission and processing of items submitted to Global Rating Authority (“GRA,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) for evaluation, authentication (where offered), grading, documentation, encapsulation, and registry record issuance (collectively, the “Services”).

These Terms apply to all submitters who ship items to GRA, submit items in person (if offered), use any GRA submission portal, or otherwise request Services. By submitting any item to GRA, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these Terms.

IMPORTANT: These Terms include limitations of liability, risk-of-loss terms, and dispute resolution provisions. If you do not agree, do not submit items to GRA.

We may update these Terms at any time by posting an updated version. Continued use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

1. Definitions

  • “Item” means any collectible submitted to GRA for Services, including but not limited to trading cards and other collectible formats GRA accepts from time to time.
  • “Submission” means a packaged group of Items submitted under a single order.
  • “Certification Number” means a unique identifier issued by GRA and associated with a graded Item and its registry record.
  • “Declared Value” means the value provided by you for each Item for purposes of service selection and liability limits.
  • “Registry” means the GRA verification system and database containing certification information and related documentation.

2. Scope of Services

GRA provides Services that may include, depending on the service level selected:

  • Intake logging and documentation
  • Imaging and condition documentation
  • Structured evaluation and grading under GRA standards
  • Assignment of a final grade and sub-scores (as applicable)
  • Encapsulation in a tamper-evident holder (as applicable)
  • Issuance of a Certification Number and registry record

GRA may modify the Services, accepted Item types, service levels, and requirements at any time.

3. Eligibility and Accounts

To submit Items, you may be required to create a GRA account and provide accurate identifying and contact information. You represent that all information you provide is accurate and up to date.

GRA may refuse service, restrict accounts, or reject Submissions at any time, including where we reasonably believe a Submission is associated with fraud, tampering, prohibited activity, or repeated non-compliance with packaging or submission requirements.

4. Submission Requirements and Conformity

You agree to:

  1. Follow GRA’s published submission and packaging instructions, including required sleeves, protections, and internal order sequencing.
  2. Submit only Items eligible for Services at the time of submission.
  3. Avoid including extraneous materials (binders, frames, bulky packaging, promotional items, etc.).
  4. Ensure Items are submitted in the order and format required by your submission form or portal flow.

If a Submission is non-conforming, GRA may, without notice:

  • Return the Submission at your expense, or
  • Correct the Submission (including re-ordering, re-packaging, separating into multiple Submissions) and charge reasonable handling or processing fees.

5. Service Levels, Declared Value, and Fee Adjustments

5.1 Service Levels

GRA offers different service levels that may vary by turnaround estimates, feature sets (e.g., documentation depth), and eligible declared values.

5.2 Declared Value and Reclassification

You must select a service level appropriate for the declared value of each Item.

If GRA determines that an Item’s fair market value materially exceeds the declared value/service level selected, GRA may:

  • Reclassify the Item to a suitable service level, and
  • Adjust fees accordingly.

If you decline to pay adjusted fees, we may return the Item unprocessed at your expense and may charge the originally selected service level fee.

6. Turnaround Times

Any turnaround times displayed are estimates only, not guarantees. Delays may occur due to volume, special handling, verification concerns, operational constraints, carrier issues, or other factors.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, GRA will not be liable for any damages resulting from delays.

7. Shipping, Risk of Loss, and Insurance

7.1 Inbound Shipping Risk

You are solely responsible for packing, shipping method selection, and obtaining insurance for Items shipped to GRA.

Carriers are not agents of GRA. GRA is not responsible for loss or damage occurring before your Items are confirmed received into our intake process.

7.2 When GRA Responsibility Begins

GRA responsibility begins only when Items are unpacked, identified, and logged into intake under your Submission.

7.3 Return Shipping

Return shipping options, insurance (if offered), and signature requirements may vary by service level, destination, and declared value.

If you select “ship on my account” or provide a third-party label, GRA will not insure the outbound shipment and will not be liable for carrier loss/damage after tendering the package to the carrier.

8. Inspection Upon Return and Issue Reporting

Upon receiving returned Items, you must inspect:

  • Encapsulation condition
  • Label accuracy
  • Certification numbers
  • Returned Item count and identity

You must notify GRA in writing of any discrepancy or damage within five (5) calendar days of delivery.

If you do not report issues within this timeframe, you waive claims related to those issues to the maximum extent permitted by law.

9. Evaluation, Grading, and Professional Judgment

Grading and authentication (where offered) involve professional judgment under GRA’s standards and protocols. Grades represent GRA’s determination at the time of evaluation.

GRA does not guarantee:

  • Market value
  • Future value
  • Liquidity
  • Resale outcomes
  • That a re-submitted Item will receive the same result if its condition has changed or if standards/protocols have been updated

If you disagree with a grade, your remedy is to pursue any re-evaluation or review service GRA offers at that time, subject to fees and requirements.

10. Altered, Counterfeit, or Prohibited Items

You represent and warrant that you are not knowingly submitting Items that are counterfeit, stolen, materially altered, or otherwise unlawful to possess or submit.

GRA may refuse, return, holder without numeric grade, relabel, or take other actions in its discretion if an Item appears:

  • altered (trimmed, recolored, cleaned, restored)
  • counterfeit/forged
  • tampered with (including compromised encapsulation or label)
  • too fragile or unsafe to process

You may still be charged fees for examination and handling even if an Item is not graded or encapsulated.

If required by law or in connection with fraud prevention, GRA may retain Items or refer matters to appropriate authorities.

11. Encapsulation, Labels, and Registry Integrity

GRA holders, labels, Certification Numbers, and registry records are issued to preserve integrity and traceability.

  • GRA holders and labels remain GRA property.
  • If a holder is broken, tampered with, or separated from the Item, the registry record may be flagged, limited, or deactivated.
  • Misuse of Certification Numbers or misrepresentation of registry information is prohibited.

12. Images, Documentation, and Data Rights

In the ordinary course of providing Services, GRA may create and store:

  • Images (including high-resolution scans/photos)
  • Evaluation data and measurements
  • Sub-scores and notes
  • Registry records and associated metadata

Collectively, this is “Submission Content.”

You grant GRA a worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free license to use Submission Content to:

  • maintain registry integrity
  • provide verification access
  • improve Services and standards
  • conduct fraud prevention and quality control
  • publish limited certification/registry information needed for verification

You may display a Certification Number, final grade, and an excerpt of GRA-provided report elements for the purpose of resale listing or provenance, so long as it is accurate, complete, and not misleading.

13. Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Items While in GRA Possession

GRA will exercise reasonable care while Items are in our custody.

If GRA determines an Item was lost, stolen, or materially damaged while in GRA’s custody and control, GRA’s maximum liability will be limited to the lesser of:

  1. the Item’s fair market value as determined by GRA using reasonable methods, or
  2. the Declared Value (or the maximum coverage limit associated with your service level, if applicable)

To the maximum extent permitted by law, this compensation is your sole and exclusive remedy.

GRA will not be liable for incidental, consequential, or special damages, including lost profits, sentimental value, or market movement.

14. Payments, Cancellations, and Refunds

All fees are due as described during submission.

  • Fees may be non-refundable once evaluation begins.
  • Rejections may still incur fees because labor and review were performed.
  • Cancellations may be permitted only prior to processing, subject to handling/shipping fees.

Chargebacks or reversed payments after processing may result in registry restrictions, certification deactivation, account limitation, and collection action.

15. Prohibited Use and Fraud Prevention

You agree not to:

  • submit Items you know to be altered or counterfeit
  • misuse certification numbers
  • use GRA systems for deception or fraud
  • interfere with the registry or verification systems

GRA may share relevant information with service providers, insurance carriers, platforms, or law enforcement when reasonably necessary to protect against fraud, preserve registry integrity, or comply with lawful requests.

16. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Services are provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE.”

GRA disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

17. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law:

  • GRA will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.
  • GRA’s total liability for any claim related to a Submission will not exceed the fees paid for the Services on the specific affected Item(s), except as expressly provided in Section 13 (loss/damage in custody).

18. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any dispute resolution process (including arbitration, if used) will be described in a separate Dispute Resolution section or referenced agreement. If you want, I can draft an arbitration clause consistent with standard e-commerce/service agreements.

19. Force Majeure

GRA is not responsible for failure or delay caused by events beyond reasonable control, including natural disasters, carrier disruptions, labor disruptions, system outages, supply shortages, or government action.

20. Contact

Questions about these Terms or the Services:

Global Rating Authority (GRA)

Email: support@globalratingauthority.com
Privacy: support@globalratingauthority.com